Gugulethu resident Sindiwe Magona has not allowed her age to take away her passion for athletics.
The 74-year-old is a member of RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club and is among the athletes participating in Saturday’s Gugulethu Reconciliation race.
“I loved running as a child. I showed a passion, it’s fun and it kept me fit. The highlight is that at my age I’m disease free.
"Some people tend to get lifestyle diseases. A lifestyle disease is when you have something you could avoid, especially in our days of less walking and more driving,” said Magona.
Magona is also an author with two books titled To My Children’s Children, and Forced to Grow.
She said her books reflected how she grew up, and how she can inspire not just her children’s children, but anyone who felt they need to take a leap in their life.
“Our lives shouldn’t be filled with regrets; ‘oh I should have joined’, ‘oh I should have ran while I was young’ etc. The Gugulethu Reconciliation Race reminds us that we should get up and move and continue to move,” said Magona.
Magona said the RCS Gugulethu Reconciliation Race is a reminder that everyone from primary school to the old in society need to join the race.
“It is fun. At my age I now walk and I will be there on Saturday. I will see you there,” said Magona.
Local businessman Peter Motale said: “This race is growing very fast. It should not just happen once a year.
"We should have more of these in Gugulethu and other areas as well. Exercising reduces a lot of unnecessary illnesses.
"I so wish schools could go back to having sports days just to stay healthy."
Tickets are available on www.entrytime.com, gates open as early as 5am at the NY49 Gugulethu Stadium.